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Russell Wilson now a Texas Ranger; admits he's considered trying to play both football, baseball

By John Knicely

Russell Wilson admitted he’s considered trying to play both football and baseball like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders did.

By John Knicely

SEATTLE — Russell Wilson is the newest member of the Texas Rangers.  That’s right.  The Seattle Seahawks star quarterback was drafted Thursday by the Major League Baseball club.

Wilson was on his way to workout at 6:30 a.m. when he got an interesting call.
“It's from Arlington, Texas,” said Wilson.  “And I'm thinking who do I know from Arlington, who's calling right now?”
It was Texas Rangers General Manager, Joe Daniels calling to tell Wilson he’d been picked up in the Rule 5 draft.  Wilson said he didn’t even know that was a possibility.
Before becoming the Seahawks star quarterback, Russell Wilson played minor league baseball in the Colorado Rockies organization.  This whole time he’s been on a restricted minor league baseball list.  And in MLB’s Rule 5 draft, teams are allowed to draft players off that list.  The Rangers got Wilson for $12,000.
Wilson said he plans to join the Rangers for Spring Training and said it will be a cool experience to hang out with the team.  And he admitted he’s considered trying to play both football and baseball like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders did.
“I’m not going to lie, I’ve thought about it,” said Wilson. “No, my focus is on football.”
Wilson said Daniels made it clear that the Rangers don’t want to interfere with the magical season Wilson is putting together on the football field.
So what do his teammates think? 
“I think they got a good pick up, a strong armed righty,” said cornerback Richard Sherman.
Realistically, the signing will have no impact on Wilson playing for the Seahawks this season.  But it could make for an interesting point of discussion when Wilson and the Seahawks pick up contract negotiations soon.
“I love baseball,” Wilson said.  “But football is where my first love is.”

KIRO

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